**Organisers Withdraw from Planned Kyrenia Castle Music Festival Amid Political Pressure**
The Serbian music company EXIT has officially withdrawn from the Nexus electronic music festival, which was scheduled to take place at Kyrenia Castle on September 18. This decision comes in the wake of significant diplomatic and political pressure regarding the event, as confirmed by Elam MEP Geadis Geadi on Wednesday.
The Nexus festival was set to feature a lineup of international electronic music artists, including renowned Swedish DJ Eric Prydz, the Italian duo Mathame, Cairo-based DJ Baset, and Polish-born producer ANII. However, the planned event faced backlash from various political figures in Cyprus, leading to the eventual withdrawal by EXIT.
Geadi reported that he was informed of the organisers' decision to pull out of the festival on Wednesday morning. He indicated that an official apology from EXIT is expected in the coming days. The MEP attributed the cancellation to a series of interventions he made after Elam first raised concerns about the festival earlier in the week. The party had condemned the event at Kyrenia Castle, citing the potential implications for the recognition of the administration in Northern Cyprus.
In his efforts to address the situation, Geadi contacted Serbian embassies in Cyprus, Brussels, and Switzerland, as well as Serbian government officials. He stated that these officials had no involvement with the event or its organisers. Following these discussions, he arranged a conference call with EXIT's organisers and their legal adviser, during which the decision to withdraw was made.
Geadi emphasized that he chose to keep his actions discreet until a final outcome was reached, describing the withdrawal as "another important result for Cyprus." The political opposition to the festival had been mounting in the days leading up to the announcement, with various stakeholders voicing their concerns.
Disy MEP Loukas Fourlas, who chairs the European Parliament committee responsible for relations with Serbia, had urged Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to intervene. He argued that hosting an international music event at Kyrenia Castle could inadvertently contribute to the recognition and normalisation of the administration in the north. Fourlas stated that while Cyprus supports cultural exchanges, it should not be used as a tool for recognising or strengthening what he termed "illegal separatist structures."
Kyrenia's mayor, Akis Violaris, also expressed his disapproval of the festival, calling for government intervention. He described Kyrenia Castle as a "monument of historical and cultural heritage of our country" and raised concerns about the participation of European artists in the event.
The Cypriot foreign ministry has been involved in addressing the issue through diplomatic channels, as noted by a source from the deputy cultural ministry. The Democratic Party (Diko) also condemned the planned festival, arguing that international events in the occupied areas should not be viewed merely as cultural or entertainment activities. They warned that such promotions could lead to a greater familiarity with the realities of the ongoing occupation.
EXIT had initially promoted the Nexus festival as the first Cyprus edition of its festival experience, with the choice of Kyrenia Castle reflecting a trend of staging events at significant historical locations. However, with the organisers' withdrawal confirmed, the festival will no longer take place, and an official announcement from EXIT is anticipated in the coming days.
The situation highlights the complex interplay between culture, politics, and international relations in Cyprus, particularly concerning events that may touch upon sensitive historical and territorial issues.